Rec facility for
Gleneagles golf
course debated

Catherine Barr
Contributing Writer

DID someone say referen-
dum?

_ It was the battle cry on Tuesday
night as over 450 people packed
themselves into a Gleneagles schuol
auditorium. All came to voice opin-
ions about West Vancouver's plans
to place a new western region recre-
ation-community centre in the

y heart of Gleneagles public golf
course.

Controversial since its introduc-
ion back in’ February, the original
$8.5 million proposal calls for the

: relocation of Marine Drive to the
‘east, the shortening of the
ninth/18th hole and the building of

30,000 sq. ft. (2,787 sq. m) cen-

tre on land-occupied by the golf
clubhouse and banquet hall facility.
Larger than its 27,000 sq. ft.

2,508 sq. m) recreation counter-

art located at 22nd and Marine

Yrive, the proposed Glencagles cen- -

re: would replace the Eagle
Harbour services operating out of school porta-
les and loaned school facilities.

There are no plans to include a pool or ice

2dt, the new site. But according to municipal

staff, such facilities remain very much part of the
g-rerm vision.

The plan to integrate the new recreation facil-
ity within the boundaries of the public golf
course ‘has ‘so far pitted neighbor against neigh-

golfer against planner and young against old.
_The debate. surrounding the proposed centre

: visk of further dividing the community

“Our objection is simple.

favorite at the meeting.

options to the original $8.5-million facility (now
known as Option A).

One alternative, which kept the golf course
completely separate from the recreation centre,
was dismissed immediately by council. The other
two options (Options B and C), outline plans for
a smaller 23,000 sq. ft. (2,136 sq. m) centre.
Both are under council consideration.

Option C, which places the recreation centre
along the front side of the golf course instead of
within its boundaries, appeared to be the crowd

“If the choice is
going to be made,
then Option C is the
best of the three,”

We object to the placing

-- of a rec centre in the middle
. of the golf course.”
nici hborhood.””. — Gleneagles directer Fred Hester

selub, style
ig their imme-

‘oni the matter. ;
(The numbers) are not statistically meaning-
d.in' no way do they represent a proper poll
f community opinion,” he said.
Two weeks ago, on orders from council,
linicipal staff presented three less expensive

Approx-
imately two thirds cf
the audience
applauded loudly,
cheered and waved

signs in support. |

Gleneagles Golf Club director Fred Hester
agreed. “Our objection is simple,” he said. “We
object to the placing of'a rec centre in the middle
of the golf course.” .

Hester’s comments were supported by the
majority of the audience and its speakers includ-
ing North Shore Public Golf Course Society pres-
ident Brent’ Mitchell, Gleneagles Ladies Golf
Club member Elsie Foreman and Giencagles arca
residents Joan Fisher, Bill Larson, Rene Corbett
and Dr. Ian Morgan. .

Eleven-year-old ¢ Claudia Richard, a past user
of the existing Eagle Harbour recreation centre,
told the mayor that she would not use the pro-
posed facilities because they do not include a pool

Friday, July 10, 1998 — North Shore News ~ 3

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

JIM McCarthy, right, challenged the cost and survey numbers generated by West Vancouver
municipal staff to justify support for a new recreation centre at Gleneagles golf course.

or ice rink.

In a letter, read aloud by mom Laura Lee
Richard, she urged council to fix up the 22nd and
Marine facility instead.

The only standing ovation of the evening was
received by David Adams who, armed with statis-
tics, questioned the logic behind the existence of
two recreation centres. He called for the matter
to be put to a community wide vote.

He pointed out that West Vancouver District,
with a population of just over 40,000, was spend-
ing nearly twice as much on recreation as North
Vancouver District (with a population of over
84,000).

But supporters of the proposal were quick to
point out that the new centre is a much needed
facility that has been in the works for well over 10

years.

John Moonen and Mary Fawley, both mem-
bers of the newly formed Western Community
Services Society (WCSS), urged council to make
the “difficult decisions” and endorse a centre that
would make the best use of the available land.

“I’m prepared to listen to the professionals,”
said Moonen in reference to the planners, archi-
tects and directors who have, up to now, largely
supported Option A. .

‘awicy, a community activist and mother of
five, said she was distressed at the amount of
“misinformation” surrounding the proposal and
its funding.

She urged council not to listen to the boister-
ous crowd, most of whom had left at this point.
“This gathering does not represent the commu-
nity at large,” she said as she asked council to
choose Option A at next week's council meeting.

On Monday, July 13, council plans on making
its final decision on thc matter. The meeting is
open to the public and begins at 7:45 p.m.
Anyone requiring more information should call
925-7000.

or residential

_ defence.

If course zoned f

C McKeown presented
ouncil. with a challenge
Tuesday night.

“He was one of the hundreds of

‘people ‘stuffed into a hot, sweaty
West Vancouver gymnasium.
“Late - during the night, he
‘approached the microphone to
speak about West Vancouver’s pro-
posed recreation centre. He
addressed a largely vacant room.

McKeown was reacting to sug-
gestions that the recreation centre
was just: part of a long-term plan to
turn Gleneagles golf course into a
“condo city.”

McKeown recently noticed that
the Gleneagles golf course is cur-
rently zoned for single family hous-

- all incorrect zoning,

‘like to

Fand while this is
not unusual,
McKeown would
sce’ the
course protected for
the future.
Ultimately he
would like to sce
the zoning changed
from “R4” to “Par
4.”

His suggestion
did not fall on deaf
ears. Coun. Victor
Durman and Coun.
Russ Fraser thought the suggestion
had merit.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said
Fraser as he left the mecting.
“Council should discuss that and
come to a resolution.”

Durman agreed. “I think the
idea would be a good idea. I think

COUN. Fraser agrees
wiili course protection. ing.

should be clari-
fied,” he said.
Council re-
mained unusually
silent throughout
the public meeting.
Counciliors plan to
make their final
decision about the
recreation-commt-
nity centre at next
week’s Monday
night council meet-

Parks and
Recreation director Kevin Pike also
reacted favorably to McKeown’s
suggestion.

He said that a special CU10
zoning had been drafted in the past
for the Cypress golf course propos-
al. That zoning however was
repealed since the 1990 project did

not receive the go ahead.

An RS4 zoning has many uses.
Even though it gives owners the
legal right to develop and subdi-
vide the land into single-family
lots, it is still the most prevalent
zoning of most of West
Vancouver’s parks and green areas.

At present, only an official park
dedication can truly prevent park
land from being subdivided and
developed.

- But this means the land ulti-
matcly becomes the Queen’s prop-
erty and the municipality loses con-
tral.

In order to accomplish
McKeown’s suggestion, West
Vancouver council would have to
either draft or re-draft a new zon-
ing designation at which time a
public hearing would be held to
determine the feasibility of the
action.

Anna Marie D'Angelo

News Reporter
dangelo@nsnevs.com

A legal aid lawyer received
no court penalty on
Thursday after pleading
guilty to possessing 97
grams of marijuana found
in his upper Delbrook
home.

In granting the absolute dis-
charge, Judge Clifford MacArthur
said marijuana possession has
come to be regarded by socicty as
a less serious crime.

The judge was brought in
from Abbotsford because local
judges did not wish to hear the
case against Delmer Bernard
Sokol. Sokol, 52, has worked as a
lawyer in North
Vancouver provincial court.

According to his lawyer David
Crossin, Soko! practised as a pros-
ccuting Crown lawyer. “for many
years” after being admitted to the
B.C, Bar in 1976. Sokol set up his
private legal practice in 1989.

Sokol was charged after two
men were caught breaking into his
home in. the 600-block — of.
Silverdale Place on Jan. 28, 1997.
(The judge was not told that onc-
of the burglars had been Sokol’s -
client.) Police went into the heuse
looking for more suspects, but
feund hydroponic equipment

for growing marijuana. After:
a search warrant was obtai
North Vancouver Mountics seized
3.4 cuncés of marijuana. No mar-
ijuana plants were growing at the
time, said Crown’ lawyer Daniel.
Scanlan. Police found notes about
the curing of marijuana and how
to seal a grow area. Sokol lived
alone in the house. ;

Scanlan asked for a fine and
probazion for the offence. A fine
would result in a criminal record. |
The Crown lawyer. noted that it
“was not a single joint from a kid
at a rock concert,” but that Sokol
had a fairly systematic set-up to
make marijuana for his own use.

Scanlan said Sokol should not
be treated differently from other
people because he had undergone
a Law Society of B.C. conduct
review. The review is 3 form of dis-
ciplinary action. Sokol was not
suspended and is allowed to prac-
tice law. Under the law society
sanctions, Sokol is not supposed
to use drugs and must attend
Akoholics Anonymous meetings.

Sokol’s defence lawyer noted
owo of the three marijuana grow
lights found in Sokol’s basement
were used for vegetables and flow-
ers. Crossin asked for the absolute
discharge, which carries no crimi-
nal record or court sanctions. He
noted that Sokol was a busy com-
mitted lawyer. Said Crossin: “You
don’t get rich practising legal aid.”
The judge said Sokol was
depressed as a result of a personal
relationship problem. Sokol
turned to alcohol and then mari-
juana to reduce his use of alcohol. .
He didn’t want to buy marijuana
from drug dealers so used his
“gardening skills,” said the judge.

Sokol got his law degree from
the University of Michigan in